Rigby Drive in Pickering lights up for charity

PICKERING -- Looking for something to do with the family over the holidays? Rigby Drive in Pickering is giving a whole new dimension to Christmas lights.

Neighbours living at 1230, 1232, 1234 and 1236 Rigby Drive have once again teamed up for a synchronized holiday-themed musical light show to benefit local group Dreams and Wishes. Colin Bates is the mastermind behind this creative music and light show. After watching some YouTube videos with his son and conducting some research, Mr. Bates began working on his bright idea.

Between the four homes there are an estimated 40,000 LED lights. The neighbours have gone to great lengths to reduce their environmental impact.

"All of our lights are LED so our power consumption across the four homes is equivalent to running a traditional in-home dishwasher for 20 to 25 minutes," said Mr. Bates.

The workings behind such a sophisticated project get really technical. Each house has a control system. All of the wiring is tied back through a wireless transmitter to a computer in Mr. Bates's home. Mr. Bates uses a high-end system featuring 128 channels of programming to time the lights to music. To put things into perspective, for two minutes of music, it takes about eight hours of work.

The synchronized music and light show is broadcast using a low-powered FM transmitter on 104.9 FM. Anyone in the vicinity can watch the lights and listen to the music from the comfort of a vehicle.

Visitors are encouraged to drop off food, toys or cash donation to a collection bin and cash box located in front of the homes. All proceeds will benefit the Durham women's shelter. The light display will run until January. For more information, including times and musical numbers, visit www.rigbylights.ca.

Leeanna McLean is the videographer and social media reporter for Metroland Durham Region Media Group.